Bowling lane conditioner for improved and lasting ball control

ABSTRACT

A BOWLING LANE CONDITIONER IS DISCLOSED WHICH COMPRISES MINERAL OIL, FROM ABOUT 0.2 TO 5% BY WEIGHT OF A SURFACTANT SUCH AS POLYOXYALKYLENE ALKYL ETHER, AND FROM ABOUT 2.0 TO ABOUT 24% BY WEIGHT OF A COUPLING AGENT SUCH AS ISOCETYL STEARATE. THE CONDITIONER IS DISSOLVED IN A SOLVENT SYSTEM WHICH ADVANTAGEOUSLY INCLUDES A LOWER ALKYL MONOHYDRIC ALCOHOL.

United States Patent 3,589,923 BOWLING LANE CONDITIONER FOR IMPROVED ANDLASTIN G BALL CONTROL Alex H. Stein, Waukegan, IlL, assignor to TheDexter Corporation and Brunswick Corporation, jointly No Drawing. FiledOct. 24, 1967, Ser. No. 677,725 Int. Cl. C09d 7/12 US. Cl. 106-285 3Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A bowling lane conditioner isdisclosed which comprises mineral oil, from about 0.2 to 5% by weight ofa surfactant such as polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether, and from about 2.0 toabout 24% by weight of a coupling agent such as isocetyl stearate. Theconditioner is dissolved in a solvent system which advantageouslyincludes a lower alkyl monohydric alcohol.

This invention relates to a new and improved bowling lane conditionerfor use on bowling lanes which have been coated with nitrocelluloselacquers or similar type coatings. More particularly, the inventionrelates to a bowling lane conditioner which is applied overnitrocellulose lacquers on bowling lanes and which provides unusuallylonglasting and consistent slip qualities to the surface of the bowlinglane. The improved slip qualities contribute to better control of thebowling ball as it rolls over the bowling surface in the process ofbowling.

Bowling lanes, as is well known, are commonly fabricated of wood blocks,wherein a plane surface is provided with a durable serviceable finish.Bowling lanes are commonly finished with wood finishing nitrocelluloselacquers, which may include plasticizers for the nitrocellulose andsmall amounts of polyorgano siloxane which function as flow controlagents and temporary slip-producing agents. The purpose of theselacquers is to provide finished coatings having high abrasionresistance, and good resistance to dirt-pick-up and scuffing.

In order to decrease the coefficient of friction between the lacquersused to finish the bowling lane and the bowling ball, and in order toprovide a bowling surface with the correct slippage or coefiicient offriction, the nitrocellulose lacquer finish is periodically dressed orconditioned with a bowling lane conditioner. At most bowling lanes, thedaily maintenance includes the application of a dressing or conditionerto the bowling lane. The conditioner, in accordance with the prior art,is composed chiefly of oil, and is applied directly over thelacquer-coated bowling lane surface. The conditioner acts as aprotective medium for the lacquer and helps to reduce the tendency ofthe surface to wear as well as reducing its tendency to pick up dirtfrom contact with the bowling ball. The conditioner, because of itslubricating qualities, also provides slip to the lacquer surface. Theslip-producing quality reduces the friction between the bowling ball andthe coated lane surface so that the action of the ball (amount of hook)can be controlled by the bowler.

It has been determined that in the process of bowling, the conditionerson the bowling lane gradually lose their lubricating qualities. This isdue to the fact that oil is displaced or picked up by the bowling balls.As the lubricating effects of the conditioner are reduced, the hookingtendency (lateral movement) of the thrown bowling ball increases. Thischange in the lubricating qualities of the conditioner causes a changein the coefficient of friction between the bowling lane and the bowlingball. As this change occurs, undesirable results follow,'since asimilarly thrown bowling ball will hook to a greater extent as thecoeificient of friction increases. Thus the bowler is unable to controlhis ball and is unable to score well.

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The present invention provides a new bowling lane conditioner ordressing which comprises a lubricating medium having a high affinity forthe bowling lane finish. This new bowling lane conditioner reduces theundesirable displacement or pick-up of the conditioner by the bowlingball which characterizes prior art bowling lane conditioners. Thus thepresent invention provides for a bowling lane conditioner whichmaintains this lubricating effect over a longer period of time, and as aresult the ball control on a bowling lane treated with the conditionerof this invention is stabilized over an extended period of time whichcontributes to better scoring.

The present invention is based on the discovery that the addition of aminor amount of surfactant and a minor amount of a coupling agenttherefor to mineral oil improves the lubricating properties of themineral oil as a bowling lane conditioner and extends the effective lifeof the mineral oil as a bowling lane conditioner. The addition of thesurfactant and the coupling agent to the mineral oil necessitates anadjustment to the solvent system needed for the bowling lane conditionerwhich can be accomplished by adding a cosolvent to the usual solventsfor mineral oil.

The surfactants contemplated by this invention include those materialshaving a high HLB 1 value (more hydrophilic) which are or can be madecompatible with mineral oil. Generally this invention contemplates theuse of ethers formed from polyoxyalkylene alcohols, based on from 2 to20 polyoxyalkylene groups and condensed with long chain fatty alcoholshaving between about 10 and 25 carbon atoms as the surfactant. It hasbeen found that among these various ether compounds, good results areobtained with the polyoxyethylene oleyl ethers which contain betweenabout 2 and 20 polyoxyethylene groups per molecule. The best resultshave been achieved through the use of highly refined polyoxyethylene(10) oleylether. When used in accordance with this invention, this classof surfactants shows a high afiinity for the nitrocellulose lacquers andhave provided long-wearing bowling lane conditioners.

It has been found that most of the surfanctants of the class required bythis invention are not completely miscible with mineral oil and that oneor more coupling agents are necessary to keep the surfactanthomogeneously dispersed or distributed throughout the mineral oil.

It has been found that the best coupling agents are selected fromrelatively high molecular weight esters. For instance, such materials asisopropyl myristate, and butyl oleate have given good results, whilefair results have been achieved with dioctyl adipate. The best resultshave been achieved with isocetyl stearate, which provides superiorqualities of compatibility as well as excellent aid lasting slipcharacteristics. It is the chief function of the coupling agent tomaintain the surfactant and the mineral oil in a homogeneous dispersionor solution in order that there is no separation of the surfactant fromthe mineral oil under the conditions of application or bowling play. Ithas been further found that some of the materials which function ascoupling agents also improve the slip or lubricating qualities of theconditioners and thus tend to increase the durability, since thecoupling agent does not volatilize after application of the conditioner,but is deposited with the mineral oil as part of the conditioner.

In compounding the conditioner or dressing of this invention, it ishighly important to use a solvent system which will completely dissolveall the materials. The requirement of complete solubility of theconditioner is essential if the coating is to be applied uniformly andThe Atlas HLB system, Atlas Chemical Industries, Inc, Copyright 1963.

homogeneously to the bowling lane. Many different solvents may besuccessfully used. It has been found that various petroleum fractionswhich are fairly volatile are particularly suitable such as mineralspirits, ligroin, or petroleum spirits. While mineral spirits have givenbest results, this invention also contemplates the use of otheraliphatic hydrocarbons (naphthas) as well as the common aromatichydrocarbons, such as xylol or toluol, for use as the main solvent inconnection with this invention.

As mentioned above, the presence of the surfactants in the mineral oilalong with the coupling agents therefor, necessitates an adjustment tothe usual solvents. Mineral spirits, which is the best main solvent,will not completely dissolve the combination of mineral oil and thesurfactants, and coupling agents required by this invention. It has beenfound that the best results can be obtained through the use of one ormore cosolvents, such as the lower aliphatic monohydric alcohols.Extremely effective results have been achieved through the use ofn-butyl alcohol. Secondary butyl alcohol is equally as effective asn-butyl alcohol, but the flash point is lower, and therefore thesecondary butyl alcohol is less desirable. Other materials which may beused as the cosolvent include isobutanol, isopropyl alcohol and thelike. This invention generally contemplates the use of lower alkylmonohydric alcohols having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms in the alkyl group.Mentioned above, some of these alcohols are less desirable due to theirrelatively low flash point, but the solvent properties 'thereof arecompletely adequate for use as a cosolvent within the scope of thisinvention. The basic requirement for the cosolvent is that its functionwith the major solvent to dissolve all of the materials which functionas a bowling lane conditioner, e.g. the surfactant, the coupling agentand the mineral oil.

It has been found that an effective amount of the surfactant should beused with the mineral oil to make up the conditioner of this invention.The exact amount used will vary in accordance with the precise type ofsurfactant used, but it has been found that using polyoxyethylene (10)oleyl ether, the surfactant may vary between about 0.1 percent by weightand about 2.5 percent by weight, based on the weight of the completeconditioner including solvent. Thus the surfactant may be present infrom about 0.2 percent to about 5.0 percent based on the weight of themineral oil. It has been found that the best results are obtained withpolyoxyethylene (10) oleyl ether when it is present in the range ofbetween about 1.0 percent and about 3.0 percent based on the weight ofthe mineral oil. Concentrations of more than about 3.0 percent tend toincrease the coefficient of friction somewhat, although the lastingqualities or durability of the conditioner is not necessarily impaired.Also, an excess of the surfactant tends to aggravate the problem ofincompatibility. While the lower value of 0.2 percent surfactantproduces some of the advantages discussed above, the effectiveness ofthe surfactant decreases as the amount of surfactant is reduced belowabout 1.0 percent based on the weight of the mineral oil.

The amount of coupling agents required for use in this invention willvary somewhat in accordance with the amount of surfactant used, the typeof surfactant used, and the type of coupling agent used. In any event,sufficient coupling agent must be used to form a homogeneous solution ordispersion of the surfactant and the mineral oils under the conditionsof use of the bowling lane conditioner. Generally speaking, from about 1percent to about 12 percent of the coupling agent, based on the weightof the complete conditioner including solvent, should be used or fromabout 2 percent up to 24 percent based on the Weight of the mineral oilmay be used. Best results have been obtained using at least 3 percent ofthe coupling agent when the range of surfactant is between about 1percent and 3 percent. Functionally, there is no real upper limit, sincethe coupling agent may be as high as 24 percent or more, but the reallimitation is a matter of economics.

The mineral oil used in connection with this conditioner should comprisea major proportion (70 percent or more) of the non-volatile materials,e.g. the conditioner after the solvents have been evaporated. Themineral oils which are most desirable for use in this invention, areclassified as white mineral oils. These oils are odorless, tasteless,and colorless petroleum or mineral based oils. Since the petroleum oilsare complex mixtures containing many different hydrocarbons, it isdifficult to chemically describe the petroleum oils. The mineral oilsmost useful for use in this invention are those which have been refinedto remove unsaturated aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, and have beenfinally filtered to obtain a water-white color. While it is possible touse non-water white oils, and under some circumstances their performanceas bowling lane conditioners may be adequate, they are generally notpreferred since they tend to impart undesirable colors to the bowlingalley.

Mineral spirits, the best major solvent contemplated by this invention,is also difficult to define chemically, but generally is a mixtureofaliphatic hydrocarbons which is distilled in a range of between about340 F. and 395 F. Generally mineral spirits which have had theodor-producing fractions removed are preferred for obvious reasons.

The total amount of solvents should comprise roughly 50 percent byweight of the net composition with the amount of cosolvent beingcontrolled by the amount of surfactant and stabilizer present in thecomposition. As mentioned above, it is necessary to use sufficientsolvent to dissolve or disperse all of the materials completely. Beyondthat, the amount of solvent should be adequate to permit easyapplications to the bowling lane surface. Higher amounts of solventsthan about 50 percent, are not necessary since they tend to increase theexpense of the conditioner material (determined on a non-volatile basis)without improving the effectiveness.

The following examples will serve to illustrate the prep aration of thebowling lane conditioners of this invention, but it is understood thatthe examples are set forth merely for illustrative purposes and manyother bowling lane conditioners are within the scope of the presentinvention:

EXAMPLE I A bowling lane conditioner of the following formulation wasmade up:

Parts by weight Polyoxyethylene (10) oleyl ether 0.5 Isocetyl stearate3.0 White mineral oil 46.5 Odorless mineral spirits 42.0 n-Butyl alcohol8.0

The above-described conditioner was applied to bowling lanes in thenormal manner. A professional bowler was retained to test the bowlinglanes treated with the conditioner of this invention by bowlingalternatively on a lane treated with the conditioner of this inventionand a lane treated with the standard conditioner, comprising 50 percentmineral oil and 50 percent mineral spirits. It was the opinion of theprofessional that the conditioner of the present invention represented asubstantial improvement over the prior art conditioner. He felt that thelane treated with the conditioner of this invention gave consistentreproducible ball control over a, long period of play, while the ballsthrown on the other lane hooked to a different degree as playprogressed.

The slip and durability characteristics of the bowling conditioner ofExample I were evaluated using an auto matic slip-testing device. Thisslip-testing device tests bowling lane conditioners by allowing abowling ball to slide over a bowling lane finish treated with theconditioner being tested. It was found that the lubricating qualities ofthe material described in Example I were excellent, and moreimportantly, its lasting qualities were superior to the otherconditioners tested. The automatic slip-testing device also showed thatthe product of Example I had a great afiinity for nitrocelluloselacquers. The automatic slip-testing device further showed that thebowling ball had a lesser tendency to pick up oils from the product ofExample I.

EXAMPLE II The bowling lane conditioner of the following formulation wasmade up:

Parts by weight Polyoxyethylene (10) oleyl ether 1 Dioctyl adipate 6Mineral oil 93 This conditioner was mixed with 84 parts of odorlessmineral spirits and 16 parts of n-butyl alcohol to give 200 parts ofconditioner. The product of Example II was tested in the automaticslip-testing device, where it was determined that it had good andlasting slip qualities.

EXAMPLE III Another bowling lane conditioner was made up from thefollowing formulation:

Parts by weight Polyoxyethylene (10) oleyl ether 1 Butyl oleate 6Mineral oil 93 applied to bowling lanes in a normal manner. Generallyspeaking they may be applied by manual spray or automatic equipment inamounts sufiicient only to wet the surface of the bowling lane.

The forms of invention herein shown and described are to be consideredas only illustrative. It will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat numerous modifications may be made therein without departure fromthe scope and spirit of the invention or the scope of the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. A bowling lane conditioner, which is substantially free of water,comprising 100 parts by weight of mineral oil; from about 0.2 to about5.0 parts by weight of a polyoxyethylene oleyl ether containing about 10oxyethylene units; from about 2 to about 24 parts by weight of acoupling agent selected from the group isopropyl myristate, butyloleate, dioctyl adipate, and isocetyl stearate; and from about 80 toabout 120 parts by weight of a solvent system comprising a loweraliphatic monohydric alcohol cosolvent and a main sol-vent selected fromthe group consisting of mineral spirits, ligroin, petroleum spirits,napthas, xylol and toluol.

2. A bowling lane conditioner as described in claim 1, wherein thecoupling agent is isocetyl stearate.

3. A bowling lane conditioner as described in claim 1, wherein saidsolvent system consists essentially of a major amount of mineralspirits, and a minor amount of a lower alkyl monohydric alcohol havingfrom about 3 to about 6 carbon atoms in the alkyl group.

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